>>>paraphrased...what bareback pads have any of you liked??<<<
Again , I've been very busy, so only caught portions of this thread... I've been riding my very difficult to fit Icelandic, Selur, in a homemade bareback pad that has a topline contour built into it with actual dressage billets hung into multi point rigging on top of a 3/4" firm foam Skito inter pad on top of a Balance 100% wool pad for most of the 13 years I've had him. We ride mostly trail, mostly 2hours with snack breaks & both of us are very comfy AND equine chiro who comes every 6-8 weeks over the same 13 years has found not issues yet...but I am only 95 lbs . I think it is good for balance & I personally really like the close connection I feel in a bareback pad. I also choose to keep searching for another option that is more saddle like for us both so we can alternate. I have tried just about everything on the market so here are my top BB pads reviews: The Little Joe: I ordered a 22" long one because standard is 26-27" & too long for my guys. It has dressage billets that are nicely placed behind the base of the whithers, but not so far that it alters where the natural girth line would lie on most Iceys. Made of good quality suede (lots of color choices for those who like to dress it up) with ample padding in the pad. The LJ also has a slight topline contour & longer flaps than most BB pads which both my guys just loved. The downside..4-6 week wait because each is made to order& they do look homemade, but are well-made despite the homemade look to the stitching. I still would ride it over a Skito pad & if you already have a Sensation, the Skito-Sensation pad fits perfectly under it. Elizabeth is terrific to work with & they unconditionally guarantee each pad & will fully refund your money even after you have ridden in it if you are not satisfied. A good value for the money. The Phantom: Lisa @ Moss Rock is one of my favorite dealers bar none. A total pleasure to do business with & very knowledgeable. The pad itself has support metal "rails the length of the underside to change the rigging placement & the stirrup placement if you decide to use stirrups. However the rails are not flared towards the rear, so on the very wide barreled/wide backed horses it has the potential to dig in on the sides at the rear. It was fine on my narrower guy, but my wider guy Lalli strongly objected to it the second time I put it on even though it was over a 3/4" firm foam Skito Pad. It is very nicely made, but I liked the LJ & my homemade one better on my horses. The Best Friend: If you change out the girth to dressage billets placed a little further back, It's a nice inexpensive option over a Skito Sensation pad for short romps. It has a slight topline contour as well, but comes in limited colors. But at $89.00 + about another $30.00 for the billet change over..not bad. I'm going to be trying the BF Atlanta (I consider BF $$$$ bareback pads) soon which is a knock off of the Torsion Extra Light only with supposedly rider friendly contoured panels with a spine channel. They also have a new soft pommel option which just pops into the swell once you have removed the fiberglass pommel. You can also order it in the butter soft calfskin the London comes in once they piece together a minimum order....but we shall see!! I'll keep you posted. Kaaren
